Technical expertise can open doors in public health, but effective leadership requires a different set of skills: communication, self-awareness, adaptability, and the confidence to lead authentically. Gabby Hadly, emergency preparedness and response manager for the Snohomish County Health Department in Washington state, reflects on her experience in ASTHO's Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) program. She discusses how the program helped her develop a leadership style rooted in authenticity rather than imitation and why creating supportive spaces for emerging leaders is critical for the future of public health. Hadley shares how DELPH strengthened her public speaking and communication skills, connected her with peers and mentors from across the country, and provided practical tools for navigating change, conflict, and uncertainty. She also highlights the value of accountability partnerships, professional networks, and learning alongside colleagues facing many of the same challenges reshaping public health today.
Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health | ASTHO
Performance Management | ASTHO
